The real story behind Michigan’s success this season starts with a drastically improved offensive line. Part of the success can be attributed to new offensive line coach Ed Warinner, but it is also a testament to the progress of the five players on that line — both individually and collectively. Each one has his own story.

But today, let’s dig into one story.

About the kid who struggled to dribble a basketball.

A rough start

Bushell-Beatty gave up basketball and went out for the football team at Paramus.

But he struggled.

“I just remember after his freshman year, I sat him down,” Partridge said. “Does this kid want to keep playing? It was a struggle for him early. When I sat him down, I’ll never forget this, I asked him, ‘What do you want out of your football career? What do you want? Do you want this?' He looked me dead in the eye and he said, “I want to get a college scholarship.’ "

“ 'It’s going to take a helluva lot of work, more work than a lot of other people are going to have to do,' ” Partridge said. “Then, from that point on, I knew I could push him as hard or as long as I wanted to. He wanted to be pushed. For the next two years, after practice, he would get on the treadmill and walk and be with the offensive line coach. He got better and better and better. It’s a lot like his college career.”

Yes, it is like his college career.

From a rough start to a fantastic finish.

Bushell-Beatty was redshirted in 2014 and played in only four games in 2015. He appeared in eight games as a redshirt sophomore — mostly on the field-goal unit.

He started seven games as a redshirt junior in 2017 on an offensive line that was among the worst in the Big Ten.

Partridge met with Bushell-Beatty last winter, trying to motivate him to lose weight.

“I made a little wager with him,” Partridge said. “If he wasn’t to this (certain) weight by this date, then he would have to go vegan. He was like, ‘No way.’

Same line. New identity.

“My thoughts are, ‘You didn’t play well; I’m not satisfied with it,’ ” Bushell-Beatty said. “From that week on, we took the bull by the horns and we knew we had to put better stuff on tape.”

From that point, the Wolverines have been unstoppable, ripping off eight straight wins, taking over first place in the Big Ten East and dominating at the line of scrimmage.
Bushell-Beatty is quick to credit Warinner: “I think coach Warinner has played a big role in getting me to this point,” he said. “I think coach Warinner taking the time to simplify things in the beginning, having a certain mentality about how we play ball and finish.”

After the Wolverines beat up Penn State, 42-7, in the Big House, Harbaugh praised Bushell-Beatty. "I know (athletic director) Warde Manuel watches the offensive line intently," Harbaugh said. "He thought (right tackle) Juwann Bushell-Beatty had his best game of the season. Which is really good, because we were just saying we thought he had his best game of the season two weeks ago."